Lead Youth Care Specialist - Youth Shelter

ACH Child and Family Services•Fort Worth, TX

About The Position

The Lead Youth Care Specialist provides direct care, youth behavior support, and smooth daily routines in a youth shelter. As the on-shift leader, this person provides structure, models best practices, supports frontline staff, and helps ensure youth receive high-quality care and supervision. The role is expected to spend at least 90% of each shift on the floor working with youth and modeling practices for Youth Care Specialists (YCS). The position also provides timely, compassionate, trauma-informed assistance to youth seeking help through Safe Place. The Lead Youth Care Specialist coordinates shift operations, supports staff, maintains accurate documentation, and collaborates with agency and community partners to meet youth needs. The job description notes that duties may change as business needs change.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
One year of direct care experience.
Valid Texas driver's license.
Willingness to transport clients.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree in a human service field.
One year of experience in TBRI or a similar model of care.

Responsibilities

Serve as the on-shift point person, coordinating staff assignments, responsibilities, transportation, and youth supervision needs.
Ensure staff follow daily routines, schedules, treatment guidelines, care plans, safety plans, and youth-specific requirements.
Monitor household operations to maintain a welcoming, clean, safe, and trauma-informed environment.
Lead shift-change meetings when the Shift Supervisor is absent and promptly communicate concerns, incidents, patterns, and safety updates to the Shift Supervisor.
Support required program paperwork and documentation, including daily logs, incident reports, and behavior documentation; help review and clarify staff documentation.
Administer medications according to agency protocols and maintain accurate medication logs.
Ensure compliance with DFPS minimum standards, licensing expectations, agency protocols, and required training timelines.
Provide direct supervision, care, and TBRI-aligned engagement with youth during routines and activities.
Serve as the initial contact for youth seeking Safe Place assistance; assess immediate safety needs, provide crisis support, and assist with safe transportation and connection to agency or community services.
Model appropriate supervision, engagement, emotional support, and behavioral expectations for youth and staff.
Directly support youth experiencing behavioral challenges, model interventions for staff, and use trauma-informed de-escalation and crisis-support strategies.
Participate in and ensure appropriate implementation of structured programming, life-skills development, recreational activities, and therapeutic routines in collaboration with the clinical team.
Ensure youth's basic needs are met, including meals, hygiene, clothing, sleep, transportation, and medication routines.
Build consistent, trust-based relationships that promote safety, respect, and accountability.
Promote normalcy by helping youth access hobbies, peer interactions, and community activities consistent with their therapeutic treatment needs.
Coach and support direct-care staff in TBRI implementation, trauma-informed care, behavioral support, and problem-solving during shifts.
Promote a collaborative, supportive, and accountable team culture and provide the Supervisor with feedback about staff performance, training needs, and areas where YCS staff need support.
Communicate relevant youth updates and safety information to off-shift staff to support continuity of care.
Collaborate with volunteers, caseworkers, clinicians, medical staff, and family members to support youth goals and care plans.
Represent the agency professionally and help create a welcoming environment for external partners and visitors.